Edinburgh Zoo flies in new koala from Germany in its very own plane seat

Tanami in his special seat on the plane (RZSS Edinburgh Zoo)

Edinburgh Zoo has introduced a new koala – who was flown 700 miles to Scotland in his own special plane seat.

Tanami was given his own seat on a flight from Dusseldorf to the Scottish capital because experts said he needed special care when travelling.

‘Koalas are very sensitive animals, so special care needs to be taken when transporting them,’ Darren McGarry, head of living collections at the zoo, told The Scotsman.

‘They travel in the plane’s cabin and not in the hold so keepers can easily make sure everything’s okay during the flight.’

Tanami, a Queensland koala, is 19 months old.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘We welcome passengers from all over the world to Edinburgh Airport but not all of them are as special or as cute as a koala!’

He added: ‘It was quite exciting to have Tanami arriving here and he joins a list of famous animals who have touched down here to make Edinburgh Zoo their new home.’

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Tanami will be a replacement for Toorie, a young male koala, and will be heading to Germany.

‘Toorie will be missed by everyone here at Edinburgh Zoo, but we are proud to see him playing his part in the conservation of the species,’ said McGarry.

Visitors to the zoo will at first be restricted from seeing Tanami, while the koala settles into his new surroundings.